Needle-free connector

ABSTRACT

A needle-free connector includes a hollow connector, an elastic block, and a switch assembly. The inner perimeter of the hollow connector forms a first annular wall and a second annular wall. The elastic block is disposed in the hollow connector. The switch assembly has a stop member and a guide tube connected to the stop member, the stop member being pressed between the annular block and the elastic block, the guide tube being disposed in the hollow connector, the external perimeter of the stop member forming a first annular portion against the first annular wall and a second annular portion against the second annular wall, a groove being disposed between the first annular portion and the second annular portion of the stop member, the groove being connected to the guide tube. Thus, the structure stability and closing performance are achieved such that the outside air cannot leak into the connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a medial device for blood transfusionor liquid medicine delivery, more particularly to a needle-freeconnector.

2. Description of Prior Art

A conventional syringe is commonly used as the device for medicineinjection. The needle of the syringe is a sharp structure and therefore,it is possible for the medical personnel to suffer needlestick injurywhen they use the syringe carelessly. If the needle is contaminated, themedical personnel will be exposed to infection. As a result, the usedneedles are not allowed to be arbitrarily discarded and they need to berecycled and treated professionally to reduce the possibilities ofpersonnel's infection and environmental contamination in order toimprove the safety of operation, which in contrast increases the medicalcost. Therefore, needle-free connectors are currently available in themarket and are used for medical injection with needle-free syringes.This type of device has the features of low risk and reuse, and couldreduce the cost incurred by considerable effort of recycling.

The above-mentioned needleless connector, as shown in U.S. Pat. No.7,713,250 having the title “Needleless luer access connector”, has ahousing and a septum. The housing has a channel disposed therein. Theseptum is disposed in the housing and blocks in front of the channel toseal the channel. The septum is a flexible member and has a slitdisposed at the center thereof. In this way, the needleless syringe canbe inserted into the septum through the slit to deform the septum toopen the channel, and then the liquid in the needleless syringe can flowinto the patient.

However, the structure of the needleless luer access connector disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,713,250 is not stable. The reason is given below indetail. The open-close switching of the channel is controlled by theopen-close switching of the slit. If the slit suffers elastic fatigueafter long service, it will close incompletely and reduce efficiency ofclosing. Consequently, after injection and then syringe withdrawal, theblood and liquid medicine could flow reversely into the connector due tonegative pressure and leak out from the slit, causing the medicalpersonnel and environment to be contaminated.

In view of this, the inventor pays special attention to research withthe application of related theory and tries to overcome the abovedisadvantages regarding the above prior art, which is the goal of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a needle-freeconnector, which uses a elastic block to automatically replace a stopmember when an externally exerted force disappears and uses a firstannular portion and a second annular portion to block a channel toenhance the integral structure stability and achieve good closingperformance of the needle-free connector such that the outside air cannot leak into the connector structure.

In order to achieve the above objective the present invention provides aneedle-free connector comprising a hollow connector having a firstchannel and a second channel connected to each other at both ends, theperimeter of the first channel extending inward to have an annularblock, the inner perimeter of the annular block forming a first annularwall, a second annular wall being formed between the annular block andthe second channel in the first channel; an elastic block disposed inthe first channel; and a switch assembly having a stop member and aguide tube connected to the stop member, the stop member being pressedbetween the annular block and the elastic block, the guide tube beingdisposed in the second channel, the external perimeter of the stopmember forming a first annular portion against the first annular walland a second annular portion against the second annular wall, a groovebeing disposed between the first annular portion and the second annularportion of the stop member, the groove being connected to the guidetube.

Besides, the present invention has the following effects:

First, the elastic block which could suffer elastic fatigue caused byforce exertion only carries out the function of automatically replacingthe stop member during which the first annular portion and the secondannular portion of the stop member block the channel to fulfill thefunction of closing the needle-free connector to prevent the outside airfrom leaking into the connector or to prevent the liquid medicine andblood in the patient from flowing reversely. Therefore, even though theelastic block suffers elastic fatigue after long service, the closingcapability of the stop member is still not affected. As a result, theneedle-free connector of the present invention can have excellentstructure stability and closing capability.

Second, the needle of prior art is not required and instead the mutualconnection of the needle-free injector and the needle-free connector isused during blood transfusion or liquid medicine delivery. That furtheravoids the needlestick injury, replacement and recycling of needles toreduce medical costs.

Third, during the sliding of the stop member in the first channel, thesecond annular portion formed by the external perimeter of the stopmember has been disposed against the second annular wall to prevent theliquid from leaking elsewhere through the gaps between the stop memberand the second annular wall. In this way, the liquid is ensured to flowin the groove to achieve good liquid-guiding stability of theneedle-free connector of the present invention.

Fourth, the stop member comprises the plug and two O-rings disposedaround the plug. The plug is made of rigid materials and the O-rings aremade of materials such as rubber and silicone. The plug forms the firstannular portion and the second annular portion corresponding to the twoO-rings. Thus, the present invention uses the component which isproduced simply and handily to easily assemble the stop member of astable structure, further reducing the manufacturing cost of theneedle-free connector.

Fifth, the intake surface is formed on the surface of the stop membercontacting the injection needle. The perimeter of the intake surface hasan end edge and at lease one guide groove is disposed at the end edge toassist the liquid in flowing into the first channel through the guidegroove. That prevents the liquid from being blocked by the surface ofthe stop member and thus eases the problem of reverse flow of theliquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the needle-free connector ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the needle-free connector ofthe present invention from another view;

FIG. 3 is an assembled schematic view of the needle-free connector ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the needle-free connector of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the needle-free connector of the presentinvention in a state of use; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the needle-free connector of the presentinvention in another state of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description and technology of the present invention will bedescribed as follows with figures and description. However, theaccompanying figures are provided only for explanation, but not forlimiting the present invention.

Please refer to FIGS. 1-4, in which the present invention is to providea needle-free connector 10 mainly comprising a hollow connector 1, anelastic block 2, and a switch assembly 3.

The hollow connector 1 has a first channel 11 and a second channel 12connected to each other at both ends. The perimeter of the first channel11 extends inward to have an annular block 111. The inner perimeter ofthe annular block 111 forms a first annular wall 112. A second annularwall 113 is formed between the annular block 111 and the second channel12 in the first channel 11. The size of the perimeter of the firstannular wall 112 is smaller than that of the second annular wall 113.

The detailed description is given below. The hollow connector 1comprises a first hollow body 13 and a second hollow body 14 assembledto each other. The first channel 11 is formed in the first hollow body13. The second hollow body 14 extends from the internal perimeterthereof to form a separation plate 141 and extends from the separationplate 141 away from the first hollow body 13 to form a hollow tube 142.The second channel 12 is formed in the hollow tube 142.

Besides, an external thread 131 is disposed at the end portion of thefirst hollow body 13 away from the second hollow body 14. A recessedportion 143 is formed between the separation plate 141 and the hollowtube 142 in the second hollow body 14. An internal thread 144 isdisposed at the outer perimeter of the recessed portion 143.

The elastic block 2 is disposed in the first channel 11. The material ofthe elastic block 2 can be sponge, rubber or silicone. Also, the elasticblock 2 can have, but not limited to, a shape of I-character.

The switch assembly 3 has a stop member 31 and a guide tube 32 connectedto the stop member 31. The stop member 31 is pressed between the annularblock 111 and the elastic block 2. The guide tube 32 is disposed in thesecond channel 12. The external perimeter of the stop member 31 forms afirst annular portion 311 against the first annular wall 112 and asecond annular portion 312 against the second annular wall 113. A groove313 is disposed between the first annular portion 311 and the secondannular portion 312 of the stop member 31. The groove 313 is connectedto the guide tube 32.

The stop member 31 comprises a plug 33 and two O-rings 34 disposedaround the plug 33. The plug 33 is made of rigid materials such asplastic and the O-rings 34 are made of materials such as rubber andsilicone. The plug 33 extends to have the guide tube 32, and to form thefirst annular portion 311 and the second annular portion 312corresponding to the two O-rings 34, and the plug 33 has the groove 313.

The plug 33 has a shoulder 331 and a head 332 extending from theshoulder 331 away from the guide tube 32, the size of the perimeter ofthe shoulder 331 is larger than that of the head 332, a first annulargroove 333 is disposed around the perimeter of the head 332, a secondannular groove 334 is disposed around the perimeter of the shoulder 331,and the two O-rings 34 are positioned in the first annular groove 333and the second annular groove 334, respectively.

In addition, an intake surface 335 is formed on one end of the plug 33away from the guide tube 32. The perimeter of the intake surface 335 hasan end edge 336. One or a plurality of guide grooves 337 is disposed atthe end edge 336.

Furthermore, one end of the elastic block 2 is placed against the plug33 and the other end of the elastic block 2 is placed against theseparation plate 141. In this way, the elastic block 2 is disposed inthe first channel 11 and exerts a force on the plug 33 toward theannular block 111.

The assembly of the needle-free connector 10 of the present invention isexplained below. The hollow connector 1 has a first channel 11 and asecond channel 12 connected to each other at both ends, the perimeter ofthe first channel 11 extending inward to have an annular block 111, theinner perimeter of the annular block 111 forming a first annular wall112, a second annular wall 113 being formed between the annular block111 and the second channel 12 in the first channel 11; the elastic block2 is disposed in the first channel 11; the switch assembly 3 has a stopmember 31 and a guide tube 32 connected to the stop member 31, the stopmember 31 being pressed between the annular block 111 and the elasticblock 2, the guide tube 32 being disposed in the second channel 12, theexternal perimeter of the stop member 31 forming a first annular portion311 against the first annular wall 112 and a second annular portion 312against the second annular wall 113, a groove 313 being disposed betweenthe first annular portion 311 and the second annular portion 312 of thestop member 31, the groove 313 being connected to the guide tube 32. Inthis way, the elastic block 2 which could suffer elastic fatigue causedby force exertion only carries out the function of automaticallyreplacing the stop member 31 during which the first annular portion 311and the second annular portion 312 of the stop member 31 block thechannel to further fulfill the function of closing the needle-freeconnector 10 to prevent the outside air from leaking into the connectoror to prevent the liquid medicine and blood in the patient from flowingreversely. Therefore, even though the elastic block 2 suffers elasticfatigue after long service, the closing capability of the stop member 31is still not affected. As a result, the needle-free connector 10 of thepresent invention can have excellent structure stability and closingcapability.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 6, which show the needle-free connector 10of the present invention in states of use, wherein the injection needle101 of the needle-free syringe 100 is inserted through the first channel11 of the hollow connector 1. The injection needle 101 exerts a force tocompress and deform the elastic block 2, causing the stop member 31 tomove inward; meanwhile, the first annular portion 311 originally locatedon the first annular wall 112 moves to the second annular wall 113.Since the size of the perimeter of the first annular wall 112 is smallerthan that of the second annular wall 113, the first annular portion 311loses its closing capability. Consequently, the liquid 200 in theneedle-free syringe 100 flows into the first channel 11 through theintake surface 335 and then into the guide tube 32 and the secondchannel 12 through the groove 313, and finally into the patient to takeeffect. In this way, the needle of prior art is not required and insteadthe mutual connection of the needle-free injector 100 and theneedle-free connector 10 is used during blood transfusion or liquidmedicine delivery. That further avoids the needlestick injury,replacement and recycling of needles to reduce medical costs.

In addition, during the sliding of the stop member 31 in the firstchannel 11, the second annular portion 312 formed by the externalperimeter of the stop member 31 has been disposed against the secondannular wall 113 to prevent the liquid 200 from leaking elsewherethrough the gaps between the stop member 31 and the second annular wall31. In this way, the liquid 200 is ensured to flow in the groove 313 toachieve good liquid-guiding stability of the needle-free connector 10 ofthe present invention.

Moreover, the stop member 31 comprises the plug 33 and two O-rings 34disposed around the plug 33. The plug 33 is made of rigid materials andthe O-rings 34 are made of materials such as rubber and silicone. Theplug 33 forms the first annular portion 311 and the second annularportion 312 corresponding to the two O-rings 34. Thus, the presentinvention uses the component which is produced simply and handily toeasily assemble the stop member 31 of a stable structure, furtherreducing the manufacturing cost of the needle-free connector 10.

Also, the intake surface 335 is formed on the surface of the stop member31 contacting the injection needle 101. The perimeter of the intakesurface 335 has an end edge 336 and at lease one guide groove 337 isdisposed at the end edge 336 to assist the liquid in flowing into thefirst channel 11 through the guide groove 337. That prevents the liquid200 from being blocked by the surface of the stop member 31 and thuseases the problem of reverse flow of the liquid 200.

In summary, the needle-free connector of the present invention indeedachieves the expected objective and overcome the disadvantages of priorart. Therefore, the present invention is useful, novel and non-obvious.Please examine the application carefully and grant it a patent forprotecting the rights of the inventor.

What is claimed is:
 1. A needle-free connector (10), comprising: ahollow connector (1) having a first channel (11) and a second channel(12) connected to each other at both ends, the perimeter of the firstchannel (11) extending inward to have an annular block (111), the innerperimeter of the annular block (111) forming a first annular wall (112),a second annular wall (113) being formed between the annular block (111)and the second channel (12) in the first channel (11); an elastic block(2) disposed in the first channel (11); and a switch assembly (3) havinga stop member (31) and a guide tube (32) connected to the stop member(31), the stop member (31) being pressed between the annular block (111)and the elastic block (2), the guide tube (32) being disposed in thesecond channel (12), the external perimeter of the stop member (31)forming a first annular portion (311) against the first annular wall(112) and a second annular portion (312) against the second annular wall(113), a groove (313) being disposed between the first annular portion(311) and the second annular portion (312) of the stop member (31), thegroove (313) being connected to the guide tube (32).
 2. The needle-freeconnector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the size of the perimeterof the first annular wall (112) is smaller than that of the secondannular wall (113).
 3. The needle-free connector (10) according to claim1, wherein the stop member (31) comprises a plug (33) and two O-rings(34) disposed around the plug (33), the plug (33) extends to have theguide tube (32) and to form the first annular portion (311) and thesecond annular portion (312) corresponding to the two O-rings (34), andthe plug (33) has the groove (313).
 4. The needle-free connector (10)according to claim 3, wherein the plug (33) has a shoulder (331) and ahead (332) extending from the shoulder (331) away from the guide tube(32), the size of the perimeter of the shoulder (331) is larger thanthat of the head (332), a first annular groove (333) is disposed aroundthe perimeter of the head (332), a second annular groove (334) isdisposed around the perimeter of the shoulder (331), and the two O-rings(34) are positioned in the first annular groove (333) and the secondannular groove (334), respectively.
 5. The needle-free connector (10)according to claim 3, wherein an intake surface (335) is formed on oneend of the plug (33) away from the guide tube (32), the perimeter of theintake surface (335) has an end edge (336), and at least one guidegroove (337) is disposed at the end edge (336).
 6. The needle-freeconnector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow connector (1)comprises a first hollow body (13) and a second hollow body (14)assembled to each other, the first channel (11) is formed in the firsthollow body (13), the second hollow body (14) extends from the internalperimeter thereof to form a separation plate (141) and extends from theseparation plate (141) away from the first hollow body (13) to form ahollow tube (142), and the second channel (12) is formed in the hollowtube (142).
 7. The needle-free connector (10) according to claim 6,wherein an external thread (131) is disposed at the end portion of thefirst hollow body (13) away from the second hollow body (14), a recessedportion (143) is formed between the separation plate (141) and thehollow tube (142) in the second hollow body (14), and an internal thread(144) is disposed at the outer perimeter of the recessed portion (143).8. The needle-free connector (10) according to claim 3, wherein one endof the elastic block (2) is placed against the plug (33).
 9. Theneedle-free connector (10) according to claim 6, wherein one end of theelastic block (2) is placed against the separation plate (141).
 10. Theneedle-free connector (10) according to claim 1, wherein the material ofthe elastic block (2) is sponge, rubber or silicone and the elasticblock (2) has a shape of I-character.